VINI Node Installation
VINI is managed using MyPLC, a software package that allows anyone to create their own "private" PlanetLab. A VINI node is installed like a PlanetLab node but uses a different boot image. The steps below are an abridged version of the PlanetLab node installation instructions in the PlanetLab Technical Contact's Guide, customized for VINI.
- Obtain a USB key with a write-protect switch. The Imation USB Pivot Flash Drives of sizes ≥ 256MB are known to work.
- Write the VINI BootCD image to the USB key. If the USB key is mounted on /dev/sdb1, this would look like:
# wget http://www.vini-veritas.net/download/VINI-BootCD-3.3.usb # umount /dev/sdb1 # dd if=VINI-BootCD-3.3.usb of=/dev/sdb1 # mount /dev/sdb1
- Write the node configuration file to the USB key. Add the node to your site in the VINI database. Download the node configuration file and write it to the USB key as plnode.txt. Also add the node's PCU information to the database.
- Turn on the USB key's write protection. This is important.
- Boot the VINI node. Connect power and network cables, insert the USB key, and power on the node. Once the node registers with VINI Central it will ask you to confirm the install; type yes.
Post problems to vini-dev@lists.planet-lab.org.